THE CHP’S INITIATIVE

When we spoke yesterday, Baykal said, ‘I hope Mr. Erdogan can realize the value of our acting responsibly.’ He told me that Erdogan’s current course defies logic and common sense and was upsetting both Brussels and the economy in the process. ‘The way out of this is to pass the TCK law,’ he added. ‘Mr. Erdogan is acting emotionally. We’re in erupted, the Oct. 6 report would have been very positive. However, if this stance continues and the new TCK isn’t passed, the report might be quite negative.’

Why did Erdogan stake everything? An answer of ‘due to adultery’ doesn’t seem satisfactory. Some people argue that Erdogan wouldn’t risk Turkey’s date for EU membership talks over adultery alone and that other reasons must be behind it. Others think that Erdogan took a tactical step in order to increase Turkey’s bargaining power. AKP Deputy Zekeriya Akcam also said that the EU might ask Ankara for a new definition of minorities and that Brussels often thinks that the Kurds aren’t represented in our Parliament. Akcam also thinks that the EU might request a definition of religious minorities. Similarly, the EU might ask us to cease leaving arrangements about cultural rights up to local administrations. Those who think the EU might ask for these things believe that that’s why Erdogan wanted to stake all and increase Turkey’s bargaining power. Some believe that if the EU includes these conditions in the report, it will be impossible for Turkey to accept them and negotiations will stop before they start. If the EU acts insistently, Erdogan might go back to the ‘Ankara criteria.’ Today the real dimensions of the problem will become clear. In other words, Erdogan’s contacts in Brussels will be the first step towards understanding these dimensions.